Doing something wrong, but I don't know what.
#185589 - 03/12/2008 04:24 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 03-12-2008
Posts: 13
Loc:
Offline |
|
Hullo board, and thanks for having me. I'm having a bit of a problem with my puppy. Let me give you a bit of background so you know where I'm coming from. I'll try not to write a novel.
Okay, I've had dogs since childhood, mostly GSDs. As an adult I have adopted only older dogs from the animal shelter, usually problem or unwanted dogs. I've also worked with lot of dogs through volunteering. And I'm a mod of a dog forum. In my neighborhood I'm kind of known as the dog-lady-you-can-take-your-problems-to. So I thought I was pretty knowledgeable. Famous last thoughts.
Until a few years ago I had never adopted/purchased a puppy. I thought, "It's time." So right after Hurricane Katrina (I'm in New Orleans) I adopted a GSD puppy from a kennel that had been destroyed in the storm. Gerda was a wonderful puppy in every way but one. She got really, really excited when greeting people. She'd jump up, make whining noises, bark--anything to get attention. I'd try to correct her, but usually the person would say, "Oh, it's okay," and then I'd end up correcting the person, "When she's eighty pounds you won't want her jumping on you!"
Unfortunately Gerda was a very poor, sickly dog and she died last February 2007 when she was just over one year old. This year I thought, "Well, I think I'm ready to open my heart again." So I purchased a wonderful CO puppy. She's a good girl but guess what? Same problem. While socializing she gets really excited when she sees another person and tries to pull toward them. I socialize her daily, but she just doesn't seem to get 'used' to people. She does not have this problem with other dogs. Just people. This past weekend I had to go out of town and my friend checked in on her and said, "She doesn't act like that when you're not around." So I know it's something I'm doing. I try not to tense up or anything when we see others....I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Today I practiced having strangers (some friends and neighbors) pass me on my walk and having Volga sit quietly or walk by calmly. Wasn't happening. Perhaps I'm expecting a lot from her, as she is only 4 months old. She would pull toward the person and then I'd put her in a sit. She calms down a lot more quickly than Gerda did, but Gerda was high-strung while Volga is generally calm.
Goodness, I wrote a book anyway. Sorry. Can anyone give me some tips? I'll be willing to try anything. I know I'm giving attention during unwanted behaviors.
Fredericka Turner |
Top
|
Re: Doing something wrong, but I don't know what.
[Re: Fred Turner ]
#185595 - 03/12/2008 04:44 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 10-30-2005
Posts: 4531
Loc: South Dakota, USA
Offline |
|
What do you do when someone approaches the dog? Do you talk to her and say things like "Let's go meet "so and so" or anything like that?
AND, what do you have the people do that approach her? Do you allow them to talk to her like, "Oh hello sweetie, how are you?"
When I am socializing my dogs to people, I ask them to not touch, talk to or make eye contact with the dog. If they do, then I keep the dog away from that person.
When you or the person talks to the dog it creates excitement in the dog.
Things need to stay calm and quiet and the dog needs to be calm and quiet before introduction. If the dog is already excited, then I would do something to tire the dog out before introductions.
I am not one to let a lot of people interact with my dogs anyway (unless we are training or working on socialization), so they usually go in there crates or in the day runs when people are
over.
How old is this pup? That would play a big part as well.
Welcome to the forum as well.
What other board do you moderate for?
Adding that I just saw the age, and I would say that 4 months old is a little young to expect her not to be excited to see people. Especially if she is a "friendly" type dog.
Until The Tale of the Lioness is told, the Story will Always Glorfy the Hunter |
Top
|
Re: Doing something wrong, but I don't know what.
[Re: Fred Turner ]
#185596 - 03/12/2008 04:45 PM |
Moderator
Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
Offline |
|
Hi, Fredericka, and welcome!
So, the gist is that you have a four-month-old pup who pulls toward your human acquaintances when on a walk?
No barking?
|
Top
|
Re: Doing something wrong, but I don't know what.
[Re: Connie Sutherland ]
#185598 - 03/12/2008 04:53 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 03-12-2008
Posts: 13
Loc:
Offline |
|
Thanks for the quick responses. I'll try to answer your questions:
Carol: I usually don't speak to the puppy and I don't allow other people to touch her or speak to her. But you'd be shocked at the number of people who just ignore me! I'll say, "Please ignore her; we're in training," and people will either say, "Oh, that's okay! I love puppies!" and try to pet her anyway or just look at her and make cooing noises, "She's so cute; look at those eyes!" I've had to be frightfully rude and by that time Volga is excited and wanting to be petted. I had a friend who said I was, 'ruining her childhood' because she petted Volga after I said 'no' and I just walked away from her.
Connie: She usually doesn't bark. Sometimes when I restrain her she'll give one frustration bark, but she isn't barking continuously. What she wants to do if I would let her is to run up to the person and jump on their knees.
edited to add: I know she's a little young to worry so much about this, but Gerda never grew out of it, so I want to see what I'm doing and nip it in the bud.
Fredericka Turner |
Top
|
Re: Doing something wrong, but I don't know what.
[Re: Fred Turner ]
#185603 - 03/12/2008 05:33 PM |
Moderator
Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
Offline |
|
I usually don't speak to the puppy and I don't allow other people to touch her or speak to her. But you'd be shocked at the number of people who just ignore me!
No we wouldn't.
I'd enlist some neighbors and friends to help practice with no-touch-no-eye-contact while you "sit" the dog and converse with the other human. Marking a quiet sit and rewarding with a high-value treat is going to trump pulling on the leash, I betcha.
You can also mark and reward for attention on you, which is fun and easy to practice even at an early age, just hanging around the living room.
I think that at that age, this is a *very* small problem. I'm not a puppy expert, but Carol is, and many others here are.
|
Top
|
Re: Doing something wrong, but I don't know what.
[Re: Fred Turner ]
#185605 - 03/12/2008 05:45 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 10-30-2005
Posts: 4531
Loc: South Dakota, USA
Offline |
|
Carol: I usually don't speak to the puppy and I don't allow other people to touch her or speak to her. But you'd be shocked at the number of people who just ignore me! I'll say, "Please ignore her; we're in training," and people will either say, "Oh, that's okay! I love puppies!" and try to pet her anyway or just look at her and make cooing noises, "She's so cute; look at those eyes!" I've had to be frightfully rude and by that time Volga is excited and wanting to be petted. I had a friend who said I was, 'ruining her childhood' because she petted Volga after I said 'no' and I just walked away from her.
Not surprised at the ignorance or blatant disrespect of others when it involves dogs at all.
Sounds like you are doing things correctly and that she is just being a puppy.
Personally, I would not worry about the way she is acting now, and I would follow Connie's advice on enlisting people to help you that will follow your rules.
Also, I like people to "get low" when meeting my pups. When I socialize, I ask the person(s) to stand still and ignore the dog at first. Once the initial "see the people" is over, I then allow interaction. Not a whole lot, and definitely not having the people talk to the pup in an excited tone of voice. I give the people a couple treats and when all four feet are on the ground, they give the puppy one. I then walk away, enticing the puppy to come with me. And make a big deal out of them following me rather than staying behind and wanting more treats from a stranger.
The pup I have right now is going to be on the sharp side, so I allow a little more interaction than I would a friendly puppy. But she is MUCH better now so I am phasing out people giving her anything.
ALL good and fun things come from me. Everyone else should be nothing other than ignored by the dog.
Until The Tale of the Lioness is told, the Story will Always Glorfy the Hunter |
Top
|
Re: Doing something wrong, but I don't know what.
[Re: Carol Boche ]
#185608 - 03/12/2008 05:58 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 03-12-2008
Posts: 13
Loc:
Offline |
|
Thanks both of you! I'll update on her progress.
edited to add: By the way, how would you handle public outings (like to the park or to Petsmart)? Puppies get soooooo much attention. Should I practice with friends first before tackling the all out chaos of a mega store?
Edited by (03/12/2008 06:03 PM)
Edit reason: additional question
Fredericka Turner |
Top
|
Re: Doing something wrong, but I don't know what.
[Re: Fred Turner ]
#185614 - 03/12/2008 06:49 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 10-30-2005
Posts: 4531
Loc: South Dakota, USA
Offline |
|
Thanks both of you! I'll update on her progress.
edited to add: By the way, how would you handle public outings (like to the park or to Petsmart)? Puppies get soooooo much attention. Should I practice with friends first before tackling the all out chaos of a mega store?
Yes, definitely practice with friends.
To be honest, I stay away from Petsmart, Petco and any pet store in general.
I go to Lowe's, Menards, Borders Books, and other stores that are large, and I go during the weekday time so that it is not real crowded and there are not that many children.
Of course you would want to talk to the management first and also make sure puppy has pottied before entering.
As far as the park, I stay on the outskirts, and I am watchful of people making a bee-line for me and the pup or dog. I usually turn and walk the other way before they get close and are able to even ask. I always watch for stupid dog owners that allow their dog off lead, or allow them to pull their owner towards us.
I have been around TOO many dogs that break away from mushy handlers that sit there and say, "Fluffy come, Fluffy come, Oh Flllufffyyy" only to have the dog try and body slam me or my dogs, shuck their collar, bolt out of vehicles and such to even deal with other people and their dogs.
One time I had a "so-called" or "self proclaimed" dog handlers dog come out of nowhere and try to jump into my vehicle after my dog......and of course it was, "Oh Fllluuffyyy, she just wants to say Hi..." UGH...stupid people.
(ooops sorry, got off on a rant there.. )
I just started my outings to big stores with Ember, I have been building up to it.
My other dogs are totally comfy and the hardware store now has a "All Natural Treat" jar for when we visit. (they know my dogs are on raw and do not get crap treats or food)
It is kind of like picking your battles, start with the small stuff and build to the big victory.
Until The Tale of the Lioness is told, the Story will Always Glorfy the Hunter |
Top
|
Re: Doing something wrong, but I don't know what.
[Re: Fred Turner ]
#185617 - 03/12/2008 07:30 PM |
Moderator
Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
Offline |
|
Should I practice with friends first before tackling the all out chaos of a mega store?
Absolutely.
|
Top
|
Re: Doing something wrong, but I don't know what.
[Re: Carol Boche ]
#185618 - 03/12/2008 07:36 PM |
Moderator
Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
Offline |
|
... To be honest, I stay away from Petsmart, Petco and any pet store in general. .... I am watchful of people making a bee-line for me and the pup or dog. I usually turn and walk the other way before they get close and are able to even ask. I always watch for stupid dog owners that allow their dog off lead, or allow them to pull their owner towards us. ...
For me, socializing does not mean meet-and-greet with strange dogs.
When I'm walking my dogs, I too am always scanning the road ahead for loose dogs, fence-runners, dogs obviously under no control (dragging their handler, handler bleating ineffectual commands), etc., and I calmly change directions when I spot them.
Running into a PITA human who insists on inviting your dog to jump up and insists on high-pitched excited baby-talk is one thing, but bad encounters with strange dogs is a whole 'nother thing.
|
Top
|
When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood
that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn
County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises,
Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn
County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not
purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.
Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products
sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional.
The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant
to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot
be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.
Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc.
By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the
Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.